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Archbishop Robert J. Carlson has made the following appointments:

Rev. Luis A. Mesa, formerly a priest of the Diocese of Sioux Falls, S.D., has been incardinated (became a member of the presbyterate) of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. He continues to serve with the Messengers of Peace at the mission Pacem in Terris in Colombia, South America.

Rev. Msgr. Mark C. Ullrich, in...

In the Year for Priests, we should ponder the nature of this calling and those so called.

What is the mind and heart of Our Lord as He gives us the shepherds He promises we shall ever have? What does He have in mind that they do for His lambs -- that they be for His sheep -- that they become for His flock? Why does He choose those individuals, rather than others? Does everyone He calls answer yes? Our questions are without limit.

Many people consider an annulment to be the Catholic version of divorce. However, this is not the case. An annulment declares that a marriage never existed in the first place. The authors of "Annulment: 100 Questions and Answers for Catholics," Peter Vere and Jacqui Rapp, are canon lawyers who are able to offer detailed insight into how an annulment is processed and obtained. They are able to explain this with quotes from Can...

Saturday, Feb. 27

4 p.m. Celebrant and homilist for Mass, St. Stephen Protomartyr Parish, South St. Louis

Sunday, Feb. 28

10 a.m. Celebrant and homilist for Mass, St. Rita Parish, Vinita Park

5 p.m. Evening Prayer and dinner, Bellarmine House of Studies, St. Louis

Mond...

"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners" (Mark 2:17).

Deep down inside we all know that something is not right with our world -- or with ourselves. War and crimes of violence continue to dominate our headlines. Misuse of the human body has become widespread: drug and alcohol abuse, the ever expanding traffic in pornography. Suicide, divorce and abortion con...

NEW YORK-- The documentary series "Who Do You Think You Are?" (NBC) follows celebrities as they explore their ancestry and discover various secrets hidden amid the family tree. In the pilot episode, airing Friday, March 5, 9-10 p.m., actress Sarah Jessica Parker learns that her forebears were involved in two of the most significant incidents in America's past: the 1849 California gold rush and the Salem witch trials that convulsed co...

Here is the weekly schedule for Archbishop Robert J. Carlson:

Saturday, Feb. 20

1:30 p.m. Celebrant and homilist for Rite of Election Mass, Cathedral Basilica, Central West End

4:30 p.m. Celebrant and homilist for Mass at Catholic Women for Christ Conference, America's Center, St. Louis

Sunday, Feb. 21...

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson has made the following appointments:

Rev. Gary F. Meier, pastor of Sts. Teresa and Bridget Parish, St. Louis, is appointed Vicar Forane (Dean) of the North City Deanery, effective Feb.1, 2010, for a term of three years.

Rev. Joseph E. Wormek, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Crystal City, is appointed Vicar Forane (Dean) of the Festus Deanery,...

Every 3,000 miles or so, we change the oil in our car. There may not be any major problem with our engine. But slowly, over time, minor impurities have been building up. If we leave those impurities unattended, they will eventually result in major (and costly) problems.

Every once in a while, we move the furniture and vacuum behind our couch. If we don't get to it one week, it's no big deal. If we don't get to it the next week, it's no...

Here is the weekly schedule for Archbishop Robert J. Carlson:

Saturday, Feb. 13

Retreat for potential seminarians, Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, Shrewsbury

Sunday, Feb. 14

8 a.m. Retreat for potential seminarians, Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, Shrewsbury

4:30 p.m. Evening Prayer and Benediction, Closing of Forty Hours of...

We are an immigrant Church, a pilgrim people on a journey of faith, hope and love. We are fellow travelers on the way to our heavenly home. As members of Christ's body, we are an exceptionally diverse group of people who are called to unity in Christ (Jn 11:52).

Unity in diversity is the vision that we bishops of the United States proclaimed in "Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity" (WS), which was publ...

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today I wish to speak of the great contribution made by St. Dominic to the renewal of the Church in the Middle Ages.

As a priest of the Spanish diocese of Osma, he was sent on missions throughout Europe, which drew his attention to the need for sound and zealous preachers to bring the Gospel to the people. He was entrusted with the task of refuting the heresy of the Albigensians, who denied the incarnat...

Wednesday, Feb. 10

9:30 a.m. Meeting with the Vicars General, Catholic Center, Central West End

11:30 a.m. Tour and lunch at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center, St. Louis

3 p.m. Interview with EWTN's "Faith & Culture" program, Cardinal Rigali Center, Shrewsbury

7:30 p.m. Celebrant and homilist for Mass of Confirmation, Sacred Heart Parish, Valley Park

Thursda...

Do you remember the final days of Pope John Paul II's life?

In February 2005, the Holy Father was taken to Rome's Gemelli hospital with inflammation and spasm of the larynx, the result of influenza. He was treated and released, but he had to be readmitted a few days later because he had difficulty breathing. A tracheotomy was performed, and his breathing improved, but he was very frustrated because now he could barely speak. He returned...